Euphorbia caput-medusea, E. flanaganii & E. gorgonis
Euphorbia caput-medusea, E. flanaganii & E. gorgonis
Can anyone take a stab at describing the differences of the three Euphorbias; medusea, flanaganii and gorgonis? The specimen that I have was labeled Euphorbia caput-medusea. Three photos if it are below. Before I get one of the other two species I want to be sure that mine was correctly labeled and that the three "species" are not really the same beast.
Thanks,
Nathan
Thanks,
Nathan
“Whenever people say, 'We mustn't be sentimental,' you can take it they are about to do something cruel. And if they add, 'We must be realistic,' they mean they are going to make money out of it.”
― Brigid Brophy
― Brigid Brophy
I'll take a stab. A quick glance tells me that your plant is flanaganii. I have two, the second of which I thought (and was labelled) caput-medusae. First of all http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/41967 ... 600Q85.jpg is a picture of a caput-medusae.
I had the same problem identifying these species as well. Some differences I've noted:
1. flanaganii limbs are very thin compared to the other two. flanaganii limbs are also a lot 'smoother', it doesn't have as much 'tubercle looking' things on the limbs. On the gorgonis you can see lots of white dots. There are even more on the caput-medusae.
2. flanaganii flowers near the main stem, whilst caput-medusae flowers from the ends of the limbs. I'm not sure about gorgonis.
I suppose there are variations in each species, however, my descriptions have proven to be consistent based on experience.
I hope this helps. After all this time I still haven't got a caput-medusae, they seem to be really rare. Whereas flanaganii are everywhere, gorgonis is somewhere in the middle.
Euphorbia gorgonis
I had the same problem identifying these species as well. Some differences I've noted:
1. flanaganii limbs are very thin compared to the other two. flanaganii limbs are also a lot 'smoother', it doesn't have as much 'tubercle looking' things on the limbs. On the gorgonis you can see lots of white dots. There are even more on the caput-medusae.
2. flanaganii flowers near the main stem, whilst caput-medusae flowers from the ends of the limbs. I'm not sure about gorgonis.
I suppose there are variations in each species, however, my descriptions have proven to be consistent based on experience.
I hope this helps. After all this time I still haven't got a caput-medusae, they seem to be really rare. Whereas flanaganii are everywhere, gorgonis is somewhere in the middle.
Euphorbia gorgonis
Paralysis by analysis...sigh
- nachtkrabb
- Posts: 1554
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 7:07 pm
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Nathan,
I agree with Isometric...I would (tentatively) label your plant E. flanaganii.
See also my reply in "the other" forum The pics there are from The Euphorbia Journal, and should be correct, in contrast to the many mislabeled pics on the net.
Also keep in mind that E. gorgonis is much smaller than the other two, and shouldn't get over 6" wide (including branches) if grown under good conditions.
Cheers,
-R
I agree with Isometric...I would (tentatively) label your plant E. flanaganii.
See also my reply in "the other" forum The pics there are from The Euphorbia Journal, and should be correct, in contrast to the many mislabeled pics on the net.
Also keep in mind that E. gorgonis is much smaller than the other two, and shouldn't get over 6" wide (including branches) if grown under good conditions.
Cheers,
-R
To nachtkrabb: I'm certainly no expert in... 'polyps'. What are they again? I was quite familiar with the differences between flanaganii and caput-medusae, because I was on the hunt for caput-medusae and kept finding flanaganii instead. However, yours is a nice looking plant, I want one now. It seems to match other pictures labelled E inermis.
Paralysis by analysis...sigh
A lot of good information came out of this request and it is all appreciated. Another plant arrived today and it was sold to me as Euphorbia gorgonis. The photo is below. Please let me know if you think it might actually be one. It definitely has a different look about it, but it too could use more sunlight to be at its best.
E. gorgonis (?) in 4.5" pot.
When decent outside weather once again appears in our region the two medusiod Euphorbias will be acclimated back into the sun and hopefully become more robust plants. As things are now though, they will have to settle for all day in a south facing sunroom to gather what photons come their way.
Thanks again for all the great information.
Nathan
E. gorgonis (?) in 4.5" pot.
When decent outside weather once again appears in our region the two medusiod Euphorbias will be acclimated back into the sun and hopefully become more robust plants. As things are now though, they will have to settle for all day in a south facing sunroom to gather what photons come their way.
Thanks again for all the great information.
Nathan
“Whenever people say, 'We mustn't be sentimental,' you can take it they are about to do something cruel. And if they add, 'We must be realistic,' they mean they are going to make money out of it.”
― Brigid Brophy
― Brigid Brophy
- nachtkrabb
- Posts: 1554
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 7:07 pm
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
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- nachtkrabb
- Posts: 1554
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 7:07 pm
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Re: Euphorbia caput-medusea, E. flanaganii & E. gorgonis
Love and Revolution!
...and still more cacti.
...and still more cacti.